The 15 Best Camping Coolers

Whether you’re spending a week at your favorite campsite or taking a short weekend trip, you need to keep your food fresh inside a reliable camping cooler. The alternative is leaving your campsite every day to pick up food, which doesn’t exactly jive with the rustic outdoor experience we all expect from a camping trip.

To help you out, we’ve looked for the most long-lasting coolers on the market, and put together a list of camping coolers that are up to the task. In our search for the best camping cooler available, we’ve looked at large, high-capacity coolers for week-long use, as well as smaller models, which are the best coolers for camping over the weekend or deeper in the woods.

Best Camping Coolers

1. YETI Tundra 65

The Yeti Tundra 65’s tough roto-molded shell is IGBC-certified for bear resistance.

Key Features

• 52-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 7 days
• Outside dimensions of 30.5”L x 16”W x 17.5”H
• Weighs 29 pounds empty
• Includes a dry goods basket
• Certified bear-resistant
• Roto-molded exterior
• Heavy-duty carrying handles
• Molded tie-down slots
• Available in 5 colors

The Yeti Tundra 65 is a heavy-duty 52-quart camping cooler that’s certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) for bear resistance. There’s an important thing to remember about IGBC-certified camping coolers; they need to be padlocked shut on both sets of locking holes in order to be effective.

This cooler lasts up to 7 days when properly loaded with ice, and includes a removable basket for keeping your dry goods out of the water. Its rugged nylon rope handles feature comfortable polycarbonate grips for easy carrying, and its molded tiedown slots make it easy to secure to your truck or boat.

This Yeti camping cooler is on the pricey side. But its rugged construction and travel-friendly design make it well worth the cost.

Pros

• Great choice for bear country
• Durable construction
• Designed for easy transport

Cons

• A little pricey

The heavy-duty nylon rope carrying handles on this camping cooler is exceptionally strong and comfortable to use.

2. Coleman Extreme 5

The Coleman Extreme 5 is a large capacity cooler that comes at a reasonable price.

Key Features

• 70-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 5 days
• Outside dimensions of 29”L x 15.8”W x 18.2”H
• Weighs 13.75 pounds empty
• Cupholders in lid
• The lid can support up to 250 pounds
• Available in 5 colors

The Coleman Extreme 5 is a large, 70-quart cooler that comes from one of the most trustworthy names in camping. It weighs less than 14 pounds empty, making it easy to carry around when it’s not full of ice and supplies.

The lid on this cooler is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, there’s no hinge or locking system, so you’ll need to keep it tied down if you’re on a bouncing boat or if you’re carrying it in a truck bed.

On the other hand, the lid itself is sturdy enough to support 250 pounds, so you can use it as a camp stool. It also has four built-in cupholders, so you won’t keep your drinks warm all week only to end up spilling them.

The Extreme 5 is very reasonably priced, a real bargain considering what you’re getting.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Large capacity
• Affordable

Cons

• No locking system

This camping cooler weighs only 13.75 pounds, which is impressively light for a 70-quart cooler.

3. Engel ENG65

The Engel ENG65 is cold enough to use dry ice if you so desire.

Key Features

• 58-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 10 days
• Outside dimensions of 29.5”L x 17.3”W x 18”H
• Weighs 11.38 pounds empty
• Dry ice-compatible
• Certified bear-resistant
• Non-marking rubber feet
• Available in 3 colors

The Engel ENG65 is an ultra-cold cooler that’s designed to store regular ice for up to 10 days, although a week is more realistic under most conditions. For dry ice, you’ll get about 2 days of performance, which is long enough to keep a brisket or a pack of steaks frozen solid through the end of the weekend.

At under 10 pounds, the ENG65 has a lightweight design. This makes it all the more impressive that this cooler is IGBC-certified as bear-resistant. Throw a couple of padlocks on it, carry it a hundred yards from your campsite, and you’re good to go to sleep in bear country.

Engel offers a 10-year warranty, so you’re covered if anything goes sideways. The only thing we didn’t like was the latches, which are awkward to close properly.

Pros

• Stays cold for more than a week
• Great choice for bear country
• Lightweight
• 10-year manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Poorly-designed latches

The ENG65 cooler is exceptionally long-lasting for a mid-priced cooler.

4. Outdoor Recreational Company of America

The ORCA Cooler is made in the USA by the Outdoor Recreational Company of America (ORCA).

Key Features

• 26-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 10 days
• Outside dimensions of 18.5”L x 12.3”W x 13.4”H
• Weighs 33 pounds empty
• Roto-molded construction
• Padded handles
• Includes a cargo net for extra storage
• Non-skid rubber feet
• Forest green body with a high-visibility yellow lid

The ORCA is a heavy-duty roto-molded cooler that’s engineered to be as rugged as possible. On the one hand, ORCA succeeded in their goals and created a cooler that’s truly built like a tank. On the other hand, this cooler weighs 33 pounds, which is heavy for any camp cooler, much less a 28-quart cooler.

The ORCA comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, the best on the market. And it’s made in the USA, so you can be assured of its quality. It’s also rated to keep your food cool for up to 10 days, which makes it a solid choice for a weeklong trip, as long as you don’t need much capacity.

Pros

• Very durable
• Heavy-duty latches
• Stays cold for more than a week
• Plenty of extra storage
• Made in the USA
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Heavy

This cooler includes a cargo net, which can be mounted on top for added storage space.

5. Pelican Elite 50

The Pelican 50QT Elite isn’t just a cooler, it’s your party companion on your camping expedition.

Key Features

• 50-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 10 days
• Outside dimensions of 30”L x 20.3”W x 20.4”H
• Weighs 31 pounds empty
• Non-skid rubber feet
• Molded tie-down slots
• Built-in stainless steel bottle opener
• Self-draining cupholders in the lid
• Available in 12 colors

The Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler is, as its name implies, a 50-quart cooler that features molded tie-down slots for easy transport. The Elite keeps your food cold for as long as 10 days, making it a good choice for extended stays on the campsite. At 31 pounds, it’s on the heavy side, but it comes with some extra features that are well worth the weight.

This cooler features a built-in stainless steel bottle opener on the front center. And the lid features deep cupholders with draining channels that keep them from filling with water over the course of a sunny day. It’s available in 12 different colors, so you can choose one that matches the rest of your camping gear.

Pros

• Stays cold for more than a week
• Self-draining cupholders stay dry easily
• Designed for easy transport
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Heavy

This is one of only two camp coolers on our list that comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.

6. RTIC 65

The RTIC 65 features molded tie-down slots for easy attachment to a vehicle or boat.

Key Features

• 67-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 6 days
• Outside dimensions of 32.5”L x 19.5”W x 18.5”H
• Weighs 34.9 pounds empty
• Certified bear-resistant
• Non-skid rubber feet
• Roto-molded exterior
• Heavy-duty carrying handles
• Molded tie-down slots
• Available in 3 colors

The RTIC 65 is a well-engineered, roto-molded cooler that’s IGBC-certified for bear resistance. It holds up to 67 quarts, a relatively large capacity, and it’s rated to stay cool for up to six days. It features heavy-duty nylon rope carrying handles, with soft rubber grips for comfort. Once you’ve carried it to your vehicle, it’s easy to secure, with molded tiedown slots that hold it firmly in place.

This cooler is durable, but it’s on the heavy side, and the drain plug has no leash. Keep an eye on it if you don’t want to have a permanent hole in the bottom of your cooler. That said, the RTIC 65 is an excellent choice for storing your food anywhere near bear country.

Pros

• Large capacity
• Durable construction
• Designed for easy transport
• Great choice for bear country

Cons

• No leash for drain plug
• Heavy

This beefy 67-quart ice chest has heavy duty nylon carrying handles that are comfortable to grip.

7. RovR Wheeled

The RovR Wheeled has fat, inflatable rubber tires that are easy to roll over just about any terrain.

Key Features

• 60-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 4.7 days
• Outside dimensions of 26.5”L x 20.8”W x 19.8”H
• Weighs 40.5 pounds empty
• Includes a dry goods bin
• Pop-up storage bin on top of lid
• Large inflatable transport wheels
• Wide transport handle
• Optional bike tow bar, pop-up cutting board, and cup holders available
• Available in white or moss green

The RovR Wheeled Camping Cooler is built for campsites that require you to hike in. We’re not saying you want to take this cooler down a 10-mile trail, but with its fat all-terrain tires and its wide, pull-from-the-side handle, it’s easy to roll across most terrain.

The base model of this cooler is already a practical beast. But you can also add a bike tow bar, a pop-up cutting board, or cup holders if you want to upgrade your cooler. The only thing we didn’t like about this cooler was the weight, although this isn’t a big deal; you won’t be carrying the RovR much.

Pros

• Easy to transport
• Durable construction
• Many useful accessories
• Can be used to haul other supplies

Cons

• Heavy
• Pricey

This wheeled cooler includes a collapsible storage bin for carrying extra supplies on top of your cooler.

8. Igloo BMX 25

The Igloo BMX 25 is a small, 25-quart cooler that’s designed for weekends or day trips.

Key Features

• 25-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 4 days
• Outside dimensions of 19.6”L x 13.2”W x 15.7”H
• Weighs 11.3 pounds empty
• Blow-molded construction with rubber-reinforced base
• Gray body with blue latches and black and blue handle

The Igloo BMX 25 is a lightweight, portable cooler with a 25-quart capacity. This is enough for a few people for a weekend and makes the BMX 25 a solid choice for shorter trips. This cooler is designed to be carried. Not only is it light and compact, but it also features a comfortable, padded handle that makes it easy to pack in and out of your campsite.

That said, this is a budget-priced cooler that’s not designed for longer trips. It only lasts a maximum of four days, so choose a beefier cooler if you need it to last all week.

Pros

• Compact, portable, and lightweight
• Durable design
• Affordable

Cons

• Relatively short-lasting

If you’re looking for a small, portable cooler that’s built like a tank, this is a good choice.

9. Pelican Elite

The Pelican Progear Elite is a 65-quart camping cooler that’s as rugged as your hunting rifle.

Key Features

• 65-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 10 days
• Outside dimensions of 26.5”L x 12”W x 12.5”H
• Weighs 48 pounds empty
• Integrated fish scale embossed on the lid
• Certified bear-resistant
• Dual molded and hinged handles
• Large, glove-friendly locking latches
• Available in OD green or marine white

The Pelican Progear Elite is a tough, durable cooler that’s designed to take a beating. It has an internal capacity of 65 quarts and keeps ice frozen for up to 10 days. It’s also IGBC-certified, with the usual caveat that you need to use padlocks.

This cooler is designed for hunters and anglers. There’s an embossed fish scale on the lid, and the latches are fat and easy to operate, perfect for opening and closing your cooler with wet, slippery gloves.

Pros

• Large capacity
• Easy to open and close with gloves on
• Stays cold for more than a week
• Great choice for camping in bear country
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Heavy
• Pricey

This is a perfect choice if you need a heavy-duty hunting or fishing cooler.

10. Coleman Steel

The Coleman Steel is a retro steel camping cooler with a 54-quart capacity.

Key Features

• 54-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 4 days
• Outside dimensions of 26”L x 17”W x 17”H
• Weighs 19 pounds empty
• Lid supports up to 250 pounds
• All stainless steel construction
• Classic retro design
• Available in 6 colors

The Coleman Steel Belted Cooler is the most eye-catching cooler on our list. With its colorful stainless steel construction, it looks like something out of the 1950s, right down to the retro diamond-shaped Coleman logo. It weighs only 19 pounds empty, with a lid that’s sturdy enough to double as a camp stool.

This cooler has a large capacity for a weekend cooler, with plenty of space for dozens of cans or a half-dozen 2-liter bottles. It’s also easy to carry and clean, with all stainless steel surfaces including the handles. That said, it only lasts for four days at most, so it also functions like an old-fashioned ice box.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Attractive retro look
• Easy to clean
• Affordable

Cons

• Relatively short-lasting

If style is as important to you as function, this camp cooler is a good choice.

11. YETI Tundra 35

The Yeti Tundra 35 is a personal cooler that will keep a few six packs of brew cold for over a week.

Key Features

• 29-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 10 days
• Outside dimensions of 21”L x 16”W x 15.5”H
• Weighs 20 pounds empty
• Includes a mini dry goods basket
• Certified bear-resistant
• Roto-molded exterior
• Heavy-duty carrying handles
• Molded tiedown slots
• Available in 8 colors

The Yeti Tundra 35 is a smaller, more lightweight version of the Yeti Tundra 65 that started our list. It has a lot of the same features, including a bear-resistant design, a roto-molded exterior, and carrying handles that are tougher than the cooler itself.

This cooler is pricey and heavy for a 29-quart cooler, but you get excellent quality in return. Not only do you get the ruggedness you’d expect from a Yeti, but you also get up to 10 days of the ice-cold performance. And as with all Yeti Tundra coolers, you get an internal dry goods basket to keep dry food out of the ice and water.

Pros

• A great choice for bear country
• Rugged design
• Designed for easy transport
• Stays cold for more than a week

Cons

• Pricey and heavy for the size

This is one of the few smaller coolers on the market that’s certified bear-resistant.

12. Igloo Iceless

The Igloo Iceless is a powered cooler that’s a perfect choice for car camping.

Key Features

• 28-quart capacity
• Stays cold for as long as it stays powered
• Outside dimensions of 18.2”L x 13.1”W x 15.5”H
• Weighs 9 pounds empty
• Runs on 12V power (car outlet)
• 8-foot power cord
• Silver body with white lid

The Igloo Iceless is a unique cooler that runs on your car’s 12V power supply. It cools up to 28 quarts of material down to 36 degrees below the surrounding temperature. This will keep things very cold in spring and fall, but won’t necessarily be useful if the temperature rises above the mid-80s. And, of course, it’s no use if it’s not actually plugged in and drawing power.

That said, there are a lot of benefits to an electric cooler. For one thing, you’ll never need to replace the ice. For another, you won’t need to constantly drain water out of the bottom. Finally, the cooler doesn’t need much insulation and is very lightweight, so it’s easy to move in and out of your vehicle.

Pros

• Requires no ice
• Lightweight
• Will keep running indefinitely
• Affordable

Cons

• No locking mechanism
• Only cools to 36 degrees below ambient temperature
• Requires a 12V power supply

If you’re camping in or near your car, this camping cooler is an easy option that never needs to be drained.

13. Driftsun 75

The Driftsun 75 is a rugged, bear-resistant cooler with a large capacity.

Key Features

• 75-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 7 days
• Outside dimensions of 33.5”L x 18.5”W x 18”H
• Weighs 32 pounds empty
• 2 built-in bottle openers
• Certified bear-resistant
• Roto-molded exterior
• Heavy-duty nylon handles
• Non-skid rubber feet
• Dry ice-compatible
• Available in 4 colors

The Driftsun is one of the largest on the market. It’s also ruggedly designed, with a roto-molded exterior that’s IGBC-certified as bear-resistant. It features heavy-duty nylon handles that have enough flex and length to make it easy for two people to share the load.

This heavy-duty cooler comes with a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty to guarantee good quality. It’s also rated for use with dry ice, although dry ice will only last about 24 hours as opposed to the week you’ll get out of standard ice.

Pros

• Large capacity
• Great choice for bear country
• Rugged construction
• 12-month manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Heavy

This ice chest is rated for dry ice, making it a good choice if you have meat that needs to stay truly frozen.

14. Rubbermaid DuraChill

The Rubbermaid DuraChill is a good lightweight cooler for a barbecue at the park or a trip to the beach.

Key Features

• 75-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 2 days
• Outside dimensions of 33.3”L x 16.9”W x 19.4”H
• Weighs 17 pounds empty
• Split lid with built-in cupholders
• Built-in transport wheels
• Wide transport handle
• Interior microban liner
• Blue body with white lid

The Rubbermaid DuraChill is a light-duty weekender cooler with a spacious, 75-quart interior. While it only stays cold for about 2 days (Rubbermaid’s claims notwithstanding), it’s still a solid choice for short outings.

To begin with, the DuraChill is easy to transport, although the wheels are hard and not suited for rough terrain. For another thing, it’s convenient to use. There are four cupholders in one side of the lid, and the other side of the lid can be opened independently. Now you won’t have to move your drink to let your buddy into the cooler.

Pros

• Easy to transport
• Large capacity
• Lightweight
• Affordable

Cons

• Not very long-lasting
• Relatively flimsy design

If you’re looking for an inexpensive camp cooler for day trips, look no further.

15. Grizzly

The Grizzly Cooler is a compact, 20-quart cooler that’s IGBC-rated as bear-resistant.

Key Features

• 20-quart capacity
• Stays frozen for 2 ½ days
• Outside dimensions of 20.25”L x 12.375”W x 14.25”H
• Weighs 16 pounds empty
• Certified bear-resistant
• Roto-molded exterior
• Eco-friendly foam construction
• Available in 10 colors

The Grizzly Cooler is a rugged, bear-resistant cooler with a roto-molded exterior that’s so tough it’s got ice in its veins. While it’s only well insulated enough for a weekend trip, its 20-quart capacity is ideal for one person.

The real advantage of the Grizzly Cooler is its Eco-mate 2# foam insulation. This material is an environmentally-friendly polyurethane, which is EPA-approved for green technology, and produces minimal byproducts during manufacturing.

Pros

• Very eco-friendly
• Rugged design
• Great choice for bear country
• Affordable

Cons

• Only suitable for weekend camping
• Heavy for the capacity

If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of a large plastic cooler, The Grizzly Cooler’s eco-friendly design will keep your conscience squeaky clean.

Bottom Line

If you want the best cooler for your campsite, make sure you know how much food you’re going to need, and buy a cooler that’s large enough for your needs. A small cooler is a good choice for portability, but if you need a lot of capacity a 30-quart cooler is going to come up short on space.

Another important consideration is how long your cooler will retain ice. We’ve focused mostly on coolers that stay frozen for a week or more, but you may not need such a long-lasting cooler if you’re only camping for a night or a weekend. In that case, a lighter-duty cooler like the Coleman Steel Belted Cooler can be a more convenient option.